Is the Arizona Wildcats’ defense markedly better than last year’s version? Some key indicators would suggest it is.
For starters, Arizona is allowing 25.5 points per game a third of the way through the season — down from 35.7 in 2015. The Wildcats also are averaging 2.25 takeaways per game, up from 1.23 last season.
But in another critical area, Arizona actually has become worse. And it’s a growing source of frustration for Rich Rodriguez and his staff entering Saturday’s game at UCLA.
The Wildcats rank last in the Pac-12 and 122nd in the nation in third-down defense. Opponents are converting 50.9 percent of their third-down opportunities against the UA. They were at 45.9 percent last year.
“That’s a concern, and that’s one reason we’re not getting three-and-outs,” Rodriguez said Wednesday. Arizona’s defense has recorded only four three-and-outs in four games.
“We definitely have to get off the field quicker,” Rodriguez added, “because we’re letting teams control the tempo too much.”
The defense’s inability to get off the field is having a detrimental effect on the offense. It’s impossible to establish a rhythm when you don’t have the ball. It doesn’t help that Arizona’s offense is also last in the conference in third-down conversion percentage (37.7) and next-to-last in fourth-down percentage (37.5).
But one issue at a time. The focus here is on the Wildcats’ third-down defense problem — which might actually be a first- and second-down defense problem.
A deeper dive into the numbers reveals nearly half of opponents’ successful third-down conversions have come on plays of third-and-3 or shorter.
Teams are gaining first downs 73.7 percent of the time in those situations. When it’s third-and-4 or longer, they’re converting at a 39.5 percent rate.
“We need to be in third-and-medium and third-and-long to help us out a little bit,” defensive coordinator Marcel Yates said. “But we’ll get it fixed.”
Opinions vary on how to achieve that common goal.
Cornerback Dane Cruikshank said winning on third down “comes from the heart.”
“You’ve just got to want it more than them,” he said. “We’ve got to bring the intensity.”
Defensive lineman Sani Fuimaono said it’s simply a matter of getting off blocks and getting to the ball-carrier.
“If everyone just does their job,” he said, “I think we’ll be fine.”
Linebacker Paul Magloire Jr. said it’s about “executing more finely.”
“We’ve been a hair away on some things,” he said. “It’s not too late to get things going and pick it up.”
The Arizona defense actually had its best performance on third down last week against Washington. The Huskies converted only 5 of 12 third downs and were just 1 of 4 in the fourth quarter and overtime. The lone conversion? Jake Browning’s winning touchdown pass to Dante Pettis on third-and-goal from the 4 in overtime.
From film to field
Cruikshank has prototypical measurements for a cornerback: He’s 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, and can rush the 40-yard dash in less than 4.5 seconds.
But Cruikshank is learning that there’s more to success in big-time college football than being big and fast.
More intense film study has helped the redshirt junior improve steadily since the start of the season. The JC transfer, playing Division I football for the first time, recorded his first career interception against Washington.
“I’ve always been good at watching film, but now I’m starting to see key things when I’m watching it,” Cruikshank said. “It’s just experience.”
Cruikshank is spending more time studying offensive formations and route combinations. For example, when a running back swings out wide, the receiver on that side is more likely to run an inside route.
“As a young pup, I wasn’t really watching things like that,” Cruikshank said. “I feel like at this level everybody’s very, very good. So I’ve got to do things that will separate (me) from everybody else.”
Cruikshank is from Chino Hills, California, and about 50 of his family members and friends will attend Saturday night’s game at the Rose Bowl.
Extra points
- Yates said he has simplified the defensive scheme a bit recently to improve communication. Players are still getting used to his defense. Rodriguez said it’s easier to make in-game adjustments on offense because everyone in the program has grown up in the same system. It’s been harder on defense, where everyone is still learning.
- Arizona didn’t experiment with more new running backs Wednesday, Rodriguez said. Receiver Samajie Grant continued to take reps there. It’s still possible Nick Wilson could play against UCLA. The overall RB situation is murky.
- Rodriguez said Arizona’s four-game losing streak against UCLA and recent blowout losses to the Bruins don’t matter, or at least they shouldn’t. “What happened last year is completely irrelevant,” Rodriguez said.
- UCLA will be Arizona’s first road game, but Rodriguez believes the UA’s “semi-road” opener against BYU in Glendale has prepped the Wildcats for any environment. UCLA also will be the first road start for quarterback Brandon Dawkins, but as Rodriguez noted, Dawkins played extensively at ASU last season.
- Rodriguez on the current state of UA recruiting: “I like where we’re at, and I’m pretty excited about what the next few years are going to look like for us.”
